Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
2021 > January
DOJ’s John Demers on Cyber Hack Linked to Russia, Threats Posed by China
White House Issues National Strategy for Planetary Protection
Year-End Spending Bill Includes Local Gov’t Cybersecurity Language
AFRL to Test New Helmet Tech for Nighttime Rescue Missions; Darrel Hopper Quoted
U.S. Army Reserve Names Robert Powell to Serve as Deputy Commanding General of Cyber; Maj. Gen. Stephen Hager Quoted
GSA Awards Brillient OASIS Unrestricted Pool 4 Contract; Paul Strasser Quoted
EMURGO Academy Partners with INTELLEQ to Drive Blockchain Ecosystem
Maria Roat on Upcoming Federal Data Strategy 2021 Action Plan
Zscaler Launches Security Assessment Program; Jay Chaudhry Quoted
Constellis Names Rick Tye as President of Crisis Mitigation; Tim Reardon Quoted
FAA Celebrates 2020 Record of Licensed Space Operations; Elaine Chao Quoted
Army’s Standards-Compliant Universal Encryption Chip Enters Final Testing
Army to Deploy Support Units for Planned Stryker-Mounted Electronic Warfare System
Air Force Stakeholders Discuss Future Airman Mgmt, Training; Maj. Gen. William Spangenthal Quoted
Marine Corps Fields Rifle Suppressors Under Large-Scale Defense Logistics Program; Maj. Mike Brisker Quoted
Bipartisan Law Seeks to Improve FEMA’s Advance Contracting Process; Rep. Bennie Thompson Quoted
Lt. Col. Ryan Rose on Space Force’s Small Satellite Launch Plans
DHS Tests Ability of Biometric Acquisition Systems in Identifying People With Face Masks
Matthew Graviss Named State Department’s First Chief Data Officer
HHS Unveils Online Resources for Health IT Standards Compliance
BAE Systems Wins US Navy Contract to Demonstrate RFCM System
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions Supports Wind River’s Cybersecurity Efforts
Joe Biden Taps David Recordon, Austin Lin for White House Tech Roles
Unanet Launches Advanced Capabilities of ERP Platform; Assad Jarrahian Quoted
HUD Continues Modernization Under GSA IT Centers of Excellence Program; Irving Dennis Quoted
Lt. Gen. Dennis Crall: Joint Staff to Assess JADC2 Gaps
FCC Seeks Feedback on $3.2B Emergency Broadband Discount Program
Maj. Jeremy Howell: Army Increases Planned Budget for 2021 Robotics Programs
NASA Concludes Final Design Review of Observation Satellite for Space Force
Tyndall AFB Introduces X-Ray Inspection Tech for Commercial Vehicles
NSA Posts Cybersecurity Paper on Remediating Outdated Network Encryption Protocols
Cyber Unified Coordination Group Provides Update on SolarWinds Orion Compromise
DOD Seeks to Support Additional Information Systems With Expanded Common Enterprise Data Repository
House OKs Bill to Codify FedRAMP, Create Federal Cloud Advisory Panel
Joseph Evans: DoD Expects Five ‘Tranche 1’ Bases for 5G Experimentation to Be Operational by Fall
FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee Adds 12 Members
Nominations Close for 2021 Wash100 Awards on Jan. 8th
Voyager Names Dr. Cheryl Shavers to Board of Directors
Halter Marine Preps Polar Security Cutter for Construction; Tom Vecchiolla Quoted
CGI Acquires HMB’s Professional Services Division to Expand End to End Services
NETSCOUT Extends Smart Perimeter Protection to AWS; Paul Barrett Quoted
Adm. Charles Richard: Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Network Works Properly Despite Concerns
NSWC Crane, SOFWERX Hold Industry Challenge for Portable Welding Tech
NOAA Partners With Nonprofit to Support Ocean Research, Protection
NIST to Update Facial Recognition Standards Amid Pandemic-Driven Mask Norm
Marc Raimondi: SolarWinds Cyber Incident Involves Access to DOJ’s Email Environment
Michael Hayduk on Air Force Research Lab’s Quantum Initiatives
Report: DoD Contract Obligations Up 10% in Fiscal 2020
ICF Wins SMECO Contract Extension to Support Energy Efficiency
Gen. John Hyten on Key Factors to Effective DoD Electromagnetic Strategy
Maj. Gen. Leah Lauderback: Space Force Should Field Tech to Detect Hostile Satellites
NGA’s Andy Brooks on Efforts to Deploy Cloud for Secure, Unclassified Data Access
Sev1Tech Names Matt Jordan as VP, Cloud Center of Excellence; Bob Lohfeld Quoted
MITRE Names Gerald Gilbert as MITRE Fellow; Charles Clancy Quoted
NASA, NSF Sign MOU to Drive Space Initiatives; Jim Bridenstine Quoted
SAS Names Bryan Harris as EVP, CTO; Jim Goodnight Quoted
NSF Uses Predictive Analytics to Mark Improper Grant Payments; Jesse Simons Quoted
Army Explores Augmented Reality Use in Bright Daytime Environments; Chou Hung Quoted
DOE Unveils Policy Recommendations for Space Exploration; Dan Brouillette Quoted
Pentagon Lays Out Framework for Addressing Small UAS With New Strategy
Survey Finds Most Federal Employees Would Like to Telework Every Day Post-Pandemic
NRL Appoints Stephen Meier as Director of Naval Center for Space Technology
Ball Corporation to Launch New Aluminum End Manufacturing Facility
DHS Names Kenneth Bible as CISO; Karen Evans Quoted
Teledyne Unit Receives WGS Certification for Satcom Modems
NASA, FAA Partner to Increase Space Transportation Capabilities; Jim Bridenstine Quoted
KBR Wins LanzaTech Contract to Deliver Engineering Services; Jay Ibrahim Quoted
Mike Pompeo OKs State Department’s Cyberspace Security and Emerging Tech Bureau
DOT Releases SBIR Presolicitation for FY 2021; Elaine Chao Quoted
Vice Adm. Nancy Norton on DISA’s Cloud-Based Threat Isolation Effort
NASA Picks Four Concept Studies for ‘Pioneers’ Astrophysics Research Program
AFRL Tests Collaborative Semi-Autonomous Bombs
Army Partners With Industry, Academia to Develop ML Algorithms for Battlefield Decision Making
Space Force to Establish Two-Part Intelligence Center This Year; Maj. Gen. Leah Lauderback Quoted
Victoria Coleman: DARPA Eyes Tech Incubator, ‘Storefront’ to Connect With Innovative Startups
Oki Mek Promoted to HHS Chief AI Officer
DHS, NASA Demo First Responder Location Tracker
USAF Downselects Northrop Grumman as Sole Contractor for F-16 Electronic Warfare Suite
SAIC Names Ravi Dankanikote BD SVP of Defense, Civilian Sector; Bob Genter Quoted
CyberCore Highlights Ways to Improve Cyber Hygiene in 2021; Jennifer Stacey Quoted
DISA Begins Mission Analysis for Updated Strategic Plan; Vice Adm. Nancy Norton Quoted
George Mason Partners with UiPath to Launch RPA Initiative
Smartronix Acquires Datastrong to Expand Technology Solutions
Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey: Army to Lead Government-Industry Test for Counter-Small UAS Tech
CISA Reports Advanced Persistent Threat in Compromised Cloud Platforms
Air Force Uses Cyber Training Environment to Develop Team-Based ‘Cyber Valhalla’ Exercise
DARPA Looks to Build Compact Linear Electron Accelerator for Military Applications
AFRL Tests New High-Altitude Airdrop Tech
Navy Department to Embrace Centralized Approach to Cloud Procurement; Travis Methvin Quoted
OMB Urges Federal Agencies to Pay More Attention to Contract Type Selection
FEMA Chief Pete Gaynor to Serve as Acting DHS Secretary
Michael Brown Offers Update on Defense Innovation Unit’s Tech Projects
NOAA Lays Out Plan for Recommended Geo-XO Satellite Constellation; Pam Sullivan Quoted
MetTel-Geotab Partnership to Deliver IoT Solutions for Government Vehicles
Avaya Extends AWS Relationship to Support AI Capabilities
GSA Selects Everbridge to Provide CEM Platform; Mike Mostow Quoted
DoD Increases 5G Testing with New Competition; Michael Kratsios Quoted
NSA Releases Report on 2020 Cybersecurity Initiatives; Anne Neuberger Quoted
Adm. Michael Gilday’s CNO Navigation Plan to Focus on Multidomain Ops, Hybrid Fleet
HHS Named Quality Service Mgmt Office for Federal Grants; Eric Hargan Quoted
NASA to Conduct Final SLS Core Stage Test
VA Uses API Tech to Facilitate Data Transfers With Third Parties
USAF Approves Scott AFB Innovation Hub as a Defense Lab
Army-Led Multisector Team Creates Dataset for Thermal Facial Recognition
GSA Begins 2021 With Release of Two RFIs, Draft Solicitation for Polaris; Keith Nakasone, Allen Hill Quoted
GAO: DoD Should Determine How to Communicate Critical Tech List to Other Agencies
Alka Patel: NDAA Provisions Could Help JAIC Operationalize Pentagon’s AI Ethics Principles
QTS Names Brent Bensten as CTO, Jon Greaves as EVP of Quality Special Operations
Perspecta Labs Wins Contract to Develop DoD Spectrum Access Manager
Intelligence Community Stands up Council for Commercial Space Systems
Sehlke Consulting Reports 2020 Results, 2021 Projections; Chad Sehlke Quoted
NIST Looks to Update Legislation on Patent Licensing Disclosure; Walter Copan Quoted
DOE Invests in Phase I R&D Work Under 139 Small Businesses
USAF to Migrate Mission-Critical Apps Into Zero-Trust Environment
DIA CIO Jack Gumtow Issues 4-Year Blueprint for Improving Intell Stakeholder Relationships
NASA, Japan Sign Agreement for Gateway Life Support Capabilities
Chartis Research Recognizes LexisNexis Risk Solutions with RiskTech100 Award
GSA FAS Leader Julie Dunne: MAS Contract Vehicle Consolidation Boosted Sales
Fortress Information Security Names John Cofrancesco VP of BD
FBI Moves to Implement New Cyber Strategy to Deter Foreign Hackers; Tonya Ugoretz Quoted
DoD Halts Joint Regional Security Stack Deployment on Classified Networks
CISA Warns Organizations of Techniques Used by Hackers to Compromise Cloud Services
NCSC’s William Evanina: U.S. Needs Supply Chain Security Program Based on Zero-Trust
USAF Secretary Barbara Barrett Prefers Redstone Arsenal as Space Command HQ Location
U.S.-Israel Homeland Security Partnership Selects Tech Projects for New Awards; William Bryan Quoted
FAA Unveils Grant Awardees for UAS Safety Research Effort
Office of Personnel Management Unveils Online Guidance Documents Portal
NASA Assigns New Administrative Roles to Four Executives
BAE Systems to Lead Agreement to Support F-35 Fleet; Mark Perreault Quoted
David Norquist to Serve as Acting Secretary of Defense for Biden Administration
Aaron Weis Discusses U.S. Navy IT Modernization Priorities for 2021
NGA to Increase Opportunities for Neurodiverse Workforce; Dr. Stacey Dixon Quoted
Technology Advancement Group Names Craig Janus as CEO
DOE Announces $124M Funding Opportunity for Domestic Manufacturing Projects
Stacy Cummings to Take Acting Undersecretary Role for DoD
DoD Unveils List of Nine Additional Firms Linked to Chinese Military
Report Proposes Strategy to Strengthen U.S. Defense Industrial Base
State Department to Support Establishment of World Data System’s US Office
Researchers Offer Human-Robot Teaming Recommendations to Help Inform Army R&D
Pentagon’s Testing Office Offers Recommendations to Facilitate MHS Genesis EHR System Deployment
MTEC to Develop Prototypes to Link Medical Networks for DoD
DoD Begins Migrating IT Users to DEOS; Brian Hermann Quoted
BAE Systems Wins $500M Contract to Upgrade CV90s
ODNI Issues Updated Attorney General Guidelines for Intell Activities; John Ratcliffe Quoted
GSA Intends to Leverage Digital Assets to Increase Operating Efficiency; David Shive Quoted
Unmanned Vessel Demos Autonomous Performance for DoD, U.S. Navy; SCO Director Jay Dryer Quoted
NASA Taps Poland to Build Instrument for Interstellar Research Program
CISA Establishes Cybersecurity Risk Mitigation Venture
NSA Releases Guidance on ‘DNS Over HTTPS’ Cybersecurity Approach
Will Roper: Prime Contractors Acquiring Smaller Companies Limit Industrial Base
Former FEMA Officer Deanne Criswell Gets Agency Administrator Nomination
Rob Joyce Appointed NSA Cybersecurity Director
NASCIO Highlights Harmonized Cyber Regulations in 2021 Fed Advocacy Priorities
Boeing Completes Starliner Software Qualification; John Vollmer Quoted
Terry Ryan Succeeds Tim Reardon as Constellis CEO
Will Roper Addresses U.S. Air Force Agile Development Into 2021
Maxar Names Dr. Heather Wilson to Board of Directors; Dan Jablonsky Quoted
DISA to Manage DoD’s Cloud Program Office by Jan. 31st
Trump Issues Space Policy Directive on Joint GPS, PNT Programs
NHTSA Publishes Vehicle Cybersecurity Guidance Draft
Navy Research Lab Rolling Out Simulation Engine for Nuclear Detection
NASA Completes Green Run Test Series for Artemis Mission’s Engines; Jim Bridenstine Quoted
DoD to Transition Oversight of Israel to U.S. Central Command
Commerce Department Imposes New Controls to Prevent US Citizens From Backing WMD, Foreign Military Intell Activities
Katie Arrington: CMMC Seeks to Protect Companies Against Negligence
GAO: Program Delays Prevent DOD From Rolling Out Jam-Resistant GPS Tech
OFPP Chief Michael Wooten Issues Guidance for Agencies to Reduce Procurement Administrative Lead Time
DOD Secretary Nominee Gen. Lloyd Austin Talks Pandemic Response, Military Alliances at Senate Confirmation Hearing
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Survey Uncovers Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Financial Crime Compliance for Financial Institutions
Alejandro Mayorkas Discusses DHS Workforce Initiatives, Cyber Posture
SpaceX Launches Additional Starlink Satellites on Falcon 9 Rocket
Jim Bridenstine Addresses Importance of Artemis Program
Cypress International Names Hon. Kevin Fahey as President, COO; LTG David Halverson Quoted
Dewberry Promotes Four Executives to Vice President
Biden Administration Names New Executives to GSA Leadership Positions
Rep. Mike Gallagher, In-Q-Tel’s Sarah Sewall on Need for US-Allied Minerals Production Efforts
DOE to Back Wind Turbine Generator Dev’t Projects
AFRL, Korean Partners Solicit Quantum Information Science Research; Shery Welsh Quoted
DOE, DOD Ink Space Cooperation Agreement; Mark Menezes Quoted
Will Roper Unveils Guidance for U.S. Air Force ‘e-Series’ Digital Engineering Criteria
Maj. Josh Benson: USMC Eyes Marine Littoral Regiment Formation in FY 2022
DOE, National Lab, University Join Forces for Energy Storage Workforce Development
John Sherman Named DOD Acting CIO
Boeing Wins $2B USAF Contract to Deliver KC-46A Tankers
DOD Works to Prevent 5G C-Band Spectrum Interference; Alan Burke Quoted
CGI Updates Brand Identity to Further Support Clients’ Missions
President Biden Tasks OMB to Lead Modernization of Federal Regulatory Reviews
DOE Earmarks $50M for Materials Extraction R&D Projects; Daniel Simmons Quoted
Army Tests AI-Based Multisensor Tech for Explosives Detection
FAA Initiates Grant Programs for Aviation Workforce Development
Air Force, Joint Leaders Discuss Command & Control Pursuits at Annual Summit
DOE Gets State, Local Governments to Apply New Building Technologies; AnnaMaria Garcia Quoted
David Norquist Becomes Acting Defense Secretary; DOD Announces Interim Secretaries for U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force
GAO Releases Annual Assessment of Major DHS Acquisition Programs
Jack London: The World Is a Dangerous Place
DOD’s John Kirby: Biden Seeks Five-Year Extension of U.S.-Russia Nuclear Treaty
Air Force Research Lab’s WeaponONE Demo Highlights Benefits of Digital Twins to Warfighters; Col. Garry Haase Quoted
IRS Outlines Taxpayer Experience, Employee Training Strategies in Congressional Report
Stuart McGuigan: State Department Increases Agility, Centralized Tech Infrastructure
GDIT Wins Spot on State Department’s $3.3B Global Support Strategy Contract
Biden Administration Names Steve Jurczyk as Acting NASA Administrator
Senate Confirms Gen. Lloyd Austin as Defense Secretary
DOD’s Alka Patel: AI Ethics Must Apply to All Military AI Systems
CBP Named Authorized Economic Operator Under US-UK Supply Chain Agreement; William Ferrara Quoted
Army Senior Scientist Stephen Lee: Interdisciplinary Collaboration Leads to Innovation
Lt. Gen. Shaun Morris on AFLCMC’s Push for 5G, Digital Engineering Efforts
Sen. Jack Reed Poised to Lead Senate Armed Services Committee
Tarak Shah, David Huizenga to Lead Biden Administration’s DOE
Air Force’s Jazmin Furtado, Chris Dylewski on Moving Beyond Service-Wide AI Innovation
Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt on Plans to Improve Space-Based Missile Warning Capabilities
Department of the Navy Announces Formation of DevSecOps Task Force
DOD Cyber Crime Center Recognized as Air Force Field Operating Agency; Jeffrey Specht Quoted
Lumen Launching New Version of Next Gen 911 for State of Nebraska; Sonia Ramsey Quoted
ArchIntel’s Latest White Paper ‘Competitive Artificial Intelligence: The Crossover Point’ Available for Free Download
Gen. John Hyten: DOD Must Accelerate Joint Efforts, Public Awareness on Space-Based Threats
William Scherlis Cites Current State of AI Dev’t
Keith Jones Rejoins Federal Government as State Department CIO
John Seel Becomes Leader of NSWC Dahlgren Division’s Warfare Control & Integration Department
Christopher Hanson to Chair Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NASA’s Deep-Space Satellite Dish Goes Online
Army Unpauses Testing of Newest Medium Tactical Vehicle
DOE Unveils Funding Opportunity for Direct Air Capture R&D Projects
Executive Order Directs Agencies to Buy Domestic Goods in Support of U.S. Manufacturers, Workers
Janet Yellen Confirmed as Treasury Secretary
Gen. John Murray: Army’s Modernization Priorities to Remain in Place
Luanne Pavco Joins Avantus Federal as President of Avantus Services, Chief Delivery Officer; CEO Andy Maner Quoted
Siemens’ Teamcenter to Standardize Product Lifecycle Management Platform for U.S. Air Force; Tina Dolph Quoted
Amentum Named #1 Military Friendly Company for 2021; CEO John Vollmer Quoted
U.S. Military Addresses N95 Mask Shortage via 3D Printing; Maj. Daniel Williams Quoted
DHS S&T Invests in Counterterrorism Research Under New Center of Excellence
HHS Seeks Feedback on COVID-19 Data Collection Portal
NIWC Atlantic Rolls Out Risk Mgmt Framework for Cloud, Data Center Authorization
Brig. Gen. Jeth Rey to Lead Army Network Cross-Functional Team
Army to Field, Develop Comms Tech for Future Network Capability
Biden Administration Unveils New OPM Appointees; Chris Canning Quoted
Senate Confirms Antony Blinken as Secretary of State
Gen. James Dickinson Backs Plan to Transfer Space Traffic Control to Commerce Department
HHS Releases Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Lockheed Martin Reports Q4, FY 2020 Financial Results; James Taiclet Quoted
Avaya Advances AI Capabilities to Improve Customer Experience; Eric Rossman Quoted
Perspecta Set to Be Acquired by Veritas Capital in $7.1B All-Cash Acquisition; Mac Curtis, Ramzi Musallam, Stu Shea Quoted
Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Gerry Connolly Request $9B Tech Modernization Fund
LexisNexis Risk Solutions Recognized for Fraud Protection, Threat Intelligence; Monty Faidley Quoted
DOD Issues FY 2020 Procurement Mgmt Review; John Tenaglia Quoted
Gen. James Dickinson’s SPACECOM Strategy to Focus on U.S. Digital Superiority, Cyber Programs
U.S.-Australia Partnership to Jointly Prototype Hypersonic Missiles; Michael Kratsios Quoted
FCC Begins Next Phase of 5G Auction Effort; Jessica Rosenworcel Quoted
Angie Lewis to Lead Naval Tech Development as NSWC Crane’s Technical Director
NASA, FAA Sign Partnership to Support, Develop U.S. Air Safety; Robert Pearce Quoted
USAF Unveils Interactive Recruitment Tech for Potential Airmen; Master Sgt. Zachary Atkinson Quoted
NREL Rolls Out Energy Storage Study; Paul Denholm Quoted
Accreditation Body Schedules CMMC Final Rule Release, Training Classes
DOD Officials Hold Discussion on Joint All-Domain C2 Strategy, Data Standards; David Spirk, Lt. Gen. Dennis Crall Quoted
Sonny Bhagowalia: Data Centers Play a Critical Role in CBP Operations
House Democrats Want GAO to Investigate Federal Energy Conservation Practices, Challenges
AMERICAN SYSTEMS Receives 2021 National Top Workplaces Award; Peter Smith Quoted
Biden Administration Names Meg Kabat of Atlas Research to VA Role
U.S. Space Force Works to Develop Resilient Architecture; Col. Russell Teehan Quoted
CISA Releases Analysis of ‘Supernova’ Malware Linked to SolarWinds Cybersecurity Breach
JAIC Hosts Second AI Dialogue Event; Stephanie Culberson Quoted
President Biden Directs Establishment of S&T Advisory Council
Report: State Department Suspends Foreign Sales of U.S. Weapons Pending Biden Administration Reviews
CACI Reports Q2 FY21 Results; John Mengucci Quoted
Ken Corbin to Take IRS Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer Role
Army to Launch Third Version of Cyber Training Platform in Q2
GAO: FAA Should Provide Stakeholders With More Info on Drone Traffic Mgmt System Implementation
DPC Report: Pentagon’s OTA Obligations Hit $16.3B in 2020
GAO: State Dept Should Use Data, Evidence to Back Proposal to Establish Cyber Bureau
Scott Breor Highlights CISA Fact Sheets for Increasing Personal Safety, Infrastructure Protection
Lockheed Martin Board Elects James Taiclet as Chairman, Marillyn Hewson to Retire as Executive Chairman
USPS Expands Digital Fingerprinting Service; Shane Powers Quoted
Ball Aerospace Completes NASA IXPE Assembly Integration; Dr. Makenzie Lystrup Quoted
Pine Island Names David Wajsgras, Matthew Levine as Partners
Sens. Maggie Hassan, John Cornyn Reintroduce Bill to Aid National Guard’s Cybersecurity Efforts
NSCAI Recommends AI Infrastructure Adoption by 2025 to Support C2 Programs
President Biden to Develop Scientific Integrity Task Force
Aberdeen Proving Ground to Accommodate Joint Warfighting Tech Experiments
DHS S&T Highlights Work of In-House Laboratories